Ornithogalum plant named &#39;MFYELLSTAR&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Ornithogalum  cultivar named ‘MFYELLSTAR’ is disclosed, characterized by sterility, long inflorescence of 30 cm, height of 60 cm, a high yield of 2-3 inflorescence per bulb and yellow flower petals. The new variety is an  Ornithogalum,  normally produced as an ornamental plant or cut flower.

Latin name of the genus and species: Ornithogalum dubium.

Variety denomination: ‘MFYELLSTAR’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new Ornithogalum cultivar is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the inventor, Michael Frank, in Moshav Givat Chen, Israel.The objective of the breeding program was to produce new Ornithogalumvarieties for ornamental commercial applications. The cross resulting inthis new variety was made during March of 2012.

The seed parent is the, unpatented, commercial variety referred to asOrnithogalum ‘MFGOLDSTAR’. The pollen parent is the unpatented,commercial variety referred to as Ornithogalum ‘MFSSTAR’. The newvariety was discovered in March of 2013 by the inventor in a group ofseedlings resulting from the 2012 crossing, in a research greenhouse inMoshav Givat Chen, Israel.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar was performed by tissueculture. This was first shown that the unique features of this cultivarare stable and reproduced true to type in multiple successivegenerations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘MFYELLSTAR’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘MFYELLSTAR’ These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘MFYELLSTAR’ as a new and distinct Ornithogalumcultivar:

-   -   1. Yellow petals    -   2. Long inflorescence (30 cm)    -   3. Average height 60 cm    -   4. Sterile    -   5. 150 days to flowering

Plants of the new cultivar ‘MFYELLSTAR’ are similar to plants of theseed parent, Ornithogalum ‘MFGOLDSTAR’ in most horticulturalcharacteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘MFYELLSTAR’ differin the following;

-   -   1. Yellow flowers, while the seed parent has a dark yellow        flower.    -   2. Has a 30 cm long Inflorescence, while the seed parent has 10        cm long inflorescence.    -   3. Height is 60 cm, while the seed parent is 50 cm.    -   4. Sterile, while the seed parent is fertile.

PARENT COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘MFYELLSTAR’ are similar to plants of thepollen parent, Ornithogalum ‘MFSSTAR’ in most horticulturalcharacteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘MFYELLSTAR’ differin the following;

-   -   1. Sterile, whereas the pollen parent is fertile.    -   2. 30 cm long inflorescence, whereas the pollen parent has 20 cm        long inflorescence.    -   3. Flowers color is yellow, while the pollen parent has orange        flowers.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘MFYELLSTAR’ are comparable to the unpatentedcommercial variety Ornithogalum ‘MFWHITSTAR’. The two Ornithogalumvarieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics; however,the new variety ‘MFYELLSTAR’ differs in the following:

-   -   1. The new variety has yellow flowers, the comparator has white        flowers.    -   2. The new variety height is 60 cm, the comparator is 55 cm in        height.    -   3. The new variety has smooth scape, the comparator has a        textured scape.    -   4. The new variety is sterile, the comparator is fertile.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘MFYELLSTAR’ can also be comparable to theunpatented commercial variety Ornithogalum ‘MFSSTAR’. The twoOrnithogalum varieties are similar in most horticulturalcharacteristics; however, the new variety ‘MFYELLSTAR’ differs in thefollowing:

-   -   1. The new variety has yellow flowers, the comparator has orange        flowers.    -   2. The new variety produces 2-3 stems per bulb, the comparator        produces 1-2 stems per bulb.    -   3. The new variety flowers after 150 days, the comparator        flowers after 120 days.    -   4. The new variety is sterile, the comparator is fertile.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a closeup of the flowering stem. The photograph was taken using conventionaltechniques and although colors may appear different from actual colorsdue to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventionalphotographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Mini Colour Chart 2001 except where general termsof ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe ‘MFYELLSTAR’ plants grown outdoors and ingreenhouse during the Spring and Summer Moshav Givat Chen, Israel. Thegrowing temperature ranged from 20° C. to 35° C. during the day and from17° C. to 23° C. during the night. General light conditions are bright,normal sunlight. Measurements and numerical values represent averages oftypical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Ornithogalum ‘MFYELLSTAR’.-   Propagation:-   Time to initiate roots: About 3 days at approximately 20° C.-   Root description: Adventive.-   Propagation method: Tissue culture.-   Bulb description:    -   -   Color.—Brownish.        -   Diameter.—6-16 mm for first year bulbs (5 month growth).        -   Height.—6-20 mm for first year bulbs (5 month growth).-   Plant:-   Age of plant described: Approximately 5 months.-   Pot size of plant described: Planted in soil.-   Typical time to produce a flowering plant commercially: 150-180    days.-   Height: Approximately 40 cm to top of highest leaf. Approximately 60    cm to top of highest inflorescence.-   Plant spread: Approximately 25 cm.-   Growth rate: High.-   Branching characteristics: Non-branching.-   Foliage:-   Leaf:    -   -   Arrangement.—Rosette.        -   Average length.—Approximately 25 cm.        -   Average width.—Approximately 5 cm.        -   Shape of blade.—Sharp tip, flattened.        -   Apex.—Sharp tip.        -   Base.—Flattened.        -   Margin.—Smooth.        -   Texture of top surface.—Smooth.        -   Texture of bottom surface.—Smooth.        -   Quantity of leaves per plant.—Approximately 7.        -   Venation.—Type: Linear.-   Flower:-   Natural flowering season: Spring.-   Flowering stems produced per bulb: 2-3.-   Inflorescence type and habit: Long raceme.-   Rate of flower opening: 3-5 days from pigments formation.-   Flower longevity on plant, or in vase if cut flower: 6 weeks and 3    weeks respectively.-   Quantity of flowers per inflorescence: 40.-   Average inflorescence per plant: 1.-   Inflorescence size:    -   -   Height.—Approximately 30 cm.        -   Width.—Approximately 4 cm.-   Individual flowers:    -   -   Length.—Approximately 3 cm.        -   Width.—Approximately 3 cm.        -   Petals.—Quantity: 6 Shape: Elliptic, concave Length:            Approximately 1.5 cm Width: Approximately 1.cm Margin:            Smooth Apex: Tip-like Base: Smooth Texture: Smooth            Appearance: Matte.-   Color: Petals: When opening: Outer surface: Near RHS Yellow 3A Inner    surface: Near RHS Yellow 3A Fully opened: Outer surface: Near RHS    Yellow 3A Inner surface: Near RHS Yellow 3A Color Changes when    aging: Yes. Become white with age.    -   -   Sepals.—Quantity: 40 Shape: Concave blade-like Length:            Approximately 2-5 cm Width: Approximately 1 cm Margin:            Smooth Apex: Sharp tip Base: Smooth Texture: Smooth            Appearance: Matte.-   Color: Sepals: When opening: Green Outer surface: Near RHS    Yellow-Green 144C Inner surface: Near RHS. Yellow-Green 144C Fully    opened: Outer surface: Near RES Yellow-Green 144C Inner surface:    Near RHS Yellow-Green 144C.-   Bud:    -   -   Shape.—Conic.        -   Length.—Approximately 1 cm.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.5 cm.-   Pedicels:    -   -   Length.—Approximately 3 cm.        -   Width.—Approximately 0.01 cm.        -   Aspect.—Angular.        -   Strength.—Firm.        -   Texture.—Smooth.        -   Color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 144B.-   Scape: Length: Approximately 60 cm. Width: Approximately 1 cm.    Texture: Smooth. Angle: Erect. Strength: High. Color: Near RHS    Yellow-Green N144C.-   Fragrance: None.-   Reproductive organs:-   Stamens:    -   -   Number.—6.        -   Filament length.—Approximately 0.4 cm.        -   Filament color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green N144C.        -   Anther length.—0.3 cm.        -   Anther color.—Near RHS Yellow 3A.        -   Anther shape.—Tag-like.        -   Pollen.—No pollen(sterile).-   Pistil:    -   -   Number.—1.        -   Length.—Approximately 0.3 cm.        -   Style color.—Near RHS Black 202A.        -   Stigma.—Shape: Trilobed Color: Near RHS Black 202A Ovary            color: Near RHS Yellow-Green N144C.-   Other characteristics:-   Seeds and fruits: Completely infertile, no seeds or fruit produced.-   Disease/pest resistance: Relatively resistance to Erwinia    corotovora. Neither resistance nor susceptibility to other normal    diseases and pests of Ornithogalum has been observed.-   Temperature tolerance: Tolerates temperatures from approximately    1° C. to 30° C.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Ornithogalum plantnamed ‘MFYELLSTAR’ as herein illustrated and described.